This is my friend's cat we used to go to the Gulf Stream in regularly...1999 model Optis and when he passed away earlier this year, these motors had 2,000 hours on 'em. A typical trip was push away at 4 a.m., 60-70 miles out of Charleston, troll all day, then return to the dock...on 90 or so gals reg gas...that's running 26kts at 3500 rpms out and back, then REDLINE it up the ditch for a 1/2 mile back to the marina...he ran 'em, but babied 'em too-- Reel
Sweet boat...
Those were the early model Opti's, the newer ones are supposed to be even better. I think 3500 to 4000 is the sweet spot on MPG. Sorry for the passing of a fishin buddy, that sucks. I wonder what repairs he had to make, 2000 hours is a lot.
Cyress Gardens used mid range motors on their pontoon boats, mostly 90hp OMC, and they had it down to a science. They would change the motors out after 1800 hours. I bought one, the pistons were so sloppy in the bore the rings caught the porting, broke and messed the heads up after another 20 hours of use. A charter boat captain out of Mosquito Lagoon has a 250xs opti that is only six months old that has been in the shop four times for eating coil packs. It is his second or third Opti, he still loves them but he was not happy with the down time. I have heard of so many powerheads replaced under warranty, I hope mine lives for another 500 hours or so. LOL If I was only so lucky.
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